Matthew P Doyle Arrested After Confronting Muslim Woman In Croydon

On suspicion of inciting racial hatred

The man who confronted a random Muslim woman in Croydon demanding an explanation for the Brussels terror attacks is believed to have been arrested.

Matthew Doyle, 46, swiftly became infamous on Wednesday afternoon after tweeting about the encounter.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed a man, believed to be Doyle, had been arrested at his home on suspicion of inciting racial hatred on social media.

Suspect arrested for inciting racial hatred on twitter #ZDERTD #WeStandTogether #Croydon #Community @CroydonAd pic.twitter.com/BcjcKAPrFl

— Croydon MPS (@MPSCroydon) March 23, 2016

His tweet quickly went viral with many people mocking his ill-advised quest for answers.

I confronted an Irish women yesterday in Camden. I asked her to explain Bono. She said "Nothing to do with me". A mealy mouthed reply.

— rob manuel (@robmanuel) March 23, 2016

I confronted a dog today & asked him about that time when I was 4 and a dog bit me. “woof” he said. A mealy mouthed reply.

— TechnicallyRon (@TechnicallyRon) March 23, 2016

Initially Doyle - who works for a PR company - attempted to explain the tweet as a publicity stunt.

@Gweskoyen It is all a wind up !

— Matthew P Doyle (@MatthewDoyle31) March 23, 2016

@Gweskoyen I am in PR.

— Matthew P Doyle (@MatthewDoyle31) March 23, 2016

He later changed his mind again and admitted the incident did happen and even appeared contrite...

Thank you for your thoughts. The incident did happen yesterday - If I was anyway threatening - I would be reported. Confront is a bad word.

— Matthew P Doyle (@MatthewDoyle31) March 23, 2016

This didn't last long however and offensive tweets again appeared on Twitter and the Facebook page of his company.

Who cares if I insulted some towelhead ?? Really.

— Matthew P Doyle (@MatthewDoyle31) March 23, 2016

A reply from the Facebook page of Matthew P Doyle's company in Croydon https://t.co/yxZg6JKTS2 pic.twitter.com/1jP03yjbEv

— Chris York (@ChrisDYork) March 23, 2016

When asked by The Huffington Post UK why he had approached the woman, Doyle explained that her Islamic headscarf justified approaching her.

He said: “She was wearing a flag. If I was walking down the street wearing a jacket emblazoned with a Union Jack then I would be open to some abuse.

"When asked if he approaches Jewish men wearing skullcaps to question them on the ongoing Israel/Palestine situation he exclaimed: “Absolutely not!”

His last tweets on Wednesday night appeared to be an attempt to pass the incident off as a stunt once more.

Thanks all you tweeters for proving I can still do PR.
I really was thinking about throwing the towel (head) in !
Contact @KimberleyeLeo

— Matthew P Doyle (@MatthewDoyle31) March 23, 2016

Doyle’s Facebook page lists his occupation as “Partner at Grant Doyle Associates“.

Confronted a man in Croydon to explain how Bond gets out of the gorilla suit in Octopussy. "Nothing to do with me."
A mealy mouthed reply.

— Joe Scaramanga (@JoeScaramanga) March 23, 2016

Confronted a white person in Croydon Nando's. I asked him to explain Lemon & Herb. He said "Nothing to do with me." A mealy mouthed reply.

— Raf (@1Rafz) March 23, 2016

I confronted a woman in Croydon and asked her to explain shredless marmalade. 'Nothing to do with me'. A peely-mouthed reply.

— Lisa Holdsworth (@WorksWithWords) March 23, 2016

I confronted a Bond baddie yesterday in Croydon. I asked him to explain his teeth. He said “Made from metal". A steely mouthed reply.

— Amanda (@Pandamoanimum) March 23, 2016
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